Benefits Program Manager

Town of Queen Creek•Municipal Services Building, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Program Manager is an advanced-level human resources professional responsible for managing the Town’s employee benefits, leave management, workers’ compensation, and wellness programs. The position leads the Benefit Division and provides technical expertise and strategic recommendations to support employee well-being, regulatory compliance, and the Town’s workforce objectives. It requires advanced technical knowledge, analytical skills, and independent judgment to oversee program effectiveness, financial analysis, vendor management, and continuous improvement aligned with organizational priorities. The role also supports compensation planning and administration, including compensation strategy, salary structures, job architecture, market research, benchmarking, and analyses. The manager develops financial analyses and program metrics, oversees HR system data, advises HR leadership on complex matters, and provides guidance and training to employees, supervisors, department leadership, and HR staff. The position works with vendors and other stakeholders, leads program and system improvements, and participates in committees, workgroups, and special projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Business, Human Resources, Psychology, or a related field.
Seven years of experience managing a specialized human resources program or area of responsibility related to benefits, leave management, wellness management, and/or compensation administration.
Three years of supervisory experience.
To be eligible, incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Knowledge of public-sector human resources principles and practices, professional ethics, employee benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, wellness, and compensation administration.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements, including FMLA, ADA, and the Craig Tiger Act.
Knowledge of health insurance plan design, administration, terminology, and regulatory compliance, and employee wellness program development and evaluation.
Knowledge of Arizona public-sector retirement and benefits systems, including ASRS, PSPRS, and defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
Knowledge of workers’ compensation claims management, return-to-work programs, and injury prevention strategies.
Knowledge of strategic planning, budgeting, project management, statistical analysis, and program evaluation.
Knowledge of training methods, customer service principles, effective communication, English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and business writing.
Knowledge of standard office equipment, HR information systems, and software applications relevant to assigned responsibilities.
Ability to perform advanced benefits, leave, and compensation administration and conduct personnel-related research studies and projects.
Ability to develop strategic plans and translate organizational goals into divisional initiatives; maintain compliance with benefits regulations and filing requirements; and develop and implement human resources programs.
Ability to identify problems or needs, involve appropriate stakeholders, and develop viable plans of action; assess complex problems and implement solutions that support informed decision-making.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment when handling sensitive information.
Ability to manage divisional budgets and financial resources with accountability and transparency and lead projects, including technology implementations and program rollouts.
Ability to conduct research, make independent analyses, report findings, compose correspondence, and communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and other interested parties.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Certification as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR or SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP), or Public Sector Human Resources Certified Professional (PSRHA-CP or PSHRA-SCP).

Responsibilities

Oversee the Town’s employee benefits strategy and administration, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and wellness programs, and ensure timely and accurate processing of enrollments, changes, and terminations.
Lead annual open enrollment, including plan evaluation, vendor coordination, employee communications, system configuration, and collaboration with HR and Payroll.
Manage benefits vendor, carrier, broker, and consultant relationships; monitor performance, resolve complex issues, and ensure effective service delivery and accurate billing.
Oversee leave and absence management programs, ensuring consistent administration, appropriate documentation, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Manage the Town’s Workers’ Compensation program, including claims administration, reporting, compliance, stakeholder coordination, and risk mitigation.
Oversee employee wellness initiatives and evaluate participation, effectiveness, and opportunities to improve employee health and well-being.
Ensure compliance across benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, and wellness programs; coordinate required reporting, audits, and corrective actions.
Assist with annual compensation planning and support development and maintenance of the Town’s compensation strategy, salary structures, job architecture, and compensation framework.
Assist with compensation market research, benchmarking, salary surveys, and analyses; evaluate market trends, pay relationships, and compression to develop recommendations.
Develop financial analyses, cost projections, and expenditure assessments supporting benefits and compensation budgeting, workforce planning, salary adjustments, and program decisions.
Oversee the accuracy, integrity, and maintenance of benefits, leave, and compensation data within HR systems; develop reports, metrics, and dashboards to evaluate utilization, expenditures, trends, and performance.
Analyze program data, employee feedback, market information, and outcomes to identify trends and recommend program improvements.
Lead program enhancements, system improvements, process automation, and cross-functional initiatives to strengthen administration, data integrity, compliance, and service delivery.
Develop, maintain, and interpret policies, procedures, guidelines, and program documentation; recommend updates based on organizational needs, regulatory changes, and industry practices.
Provide technical guidance, consultation, and training to employees, supervisors, department leadership, and HR team members regarding benefits, leave, compensation, and related policies and procedures.
Interpret and apply Town policies and program requirements and advise HR leadership on complex benefits, leave, workers’ compensation, and compensation matters.
Chair and/or participate in Town committees, workgroups, and special projects as assigned.
Perform related work as assigned.